Page 79 of His Fake Fiancé

He turned to look at her. “But what?”

She stared at him for a second and then shook her head. “Nothing.” She waved her hand. “Clearly, I’m just talking out of my butt.”

He snorted, but couldn’t shake the feeling he was missing something. Why did he always feel like the last one to figure shit out? He glanced at Gina again. She was hurrying around the room, picking up stuff, moving stuff, shuffling stuff. He wasn’t sure if she was actually cleaning, or just trying to look busy.

“Okay, then. I’m gonna go.” He pointed toward the door. “I’m sure you’re probably getting ready for dinner and all of that.”

Gina stopped her frantic rushing and nodded. “Okay.”

He stepped over to the pack and play to take one last look at his daughter. She was still sleeping, her little bow mouth moving in the cutest way. He pressed a kiss to his fingertips and then brushed them across her cheek. “See you soon, Peanut.” He kept his voice low, just for the two of them.

The baby smiled in her sleep, and he swore his chest tripled in size. The love he felt for her was overwhelming, threatening to swallow him whole. And he was more than willing to let it.

He walked over to Gina, who was staring at him sort of like she’d never seen him before. It made his skin twitch for some reason, one he didn’t really understand. He took her hand, and she tensed.

“Thank you,” he said, giving her fingers a squeeze.

One side of her mouth tilted up.

A weight shifted inside him, and it felt like he could breathe again after being underwater for ages. He gave her fingers another squeeze and then turned and walked to the door, knowing he and Gina had turned a corner in their relationship today.

At least part of his life wasn’t complete shit. Too bad he couldn’t stop thinking about what Gina had said about him and Claire. Or the way he ached at how they’d left things this afternoon. Why did he have to fuck everything up all the time?

Chapter 23

Jake sat on the sofa in the den of the main house, trying to get his mind to blank. Normally, deep thoughts weren’t something he had to worry about, but everything that had happened over the last little while had his head spinning.

It was past midnight, and he had the television on, trying to distract himself, not that it was working. He still ached with the loss of Olivia, although it was better after his talk with Gina this afternoon. He was positive they were all on the path to a good relationship.

But that ache was being overshadowed by the one that hadn’t gone away since the door closed behind Claire that afternoon. The devastation on her face was etched in his memory. She’d been open and honest with him, and he’d practically smacked her in the face with how much of an asshole he was.

It was just that, she was standing there, looking at him like he’d created the universe, and for a split second he’d wanted to be the man she thought she saw. A man that was worthy of her and her love.

Since he wasn’t either of those things, he’d freaked the fuck out, and hurt her. Badly. God, he was such a fuck up.

He rubbed his chest, at the spot that hurt the most, the spot right over his heart. It didn’t help. Nothing he did or thought made it go away. He should have probably called Claire to apologize, but he’d known she wouldn’t take his call. And he really didn’t want to grovel over voicemail.

“What are you doing up so late?”

He glanced over. Grace stood in the doorway, wearing a fluffy robe, her hair adorably rumpled.

“Couldn’t sleep. What are you doing here?”

She shrugged and walked into the den. “I wanted to be here in case you or Mama needed something. I convinced Mason we needed to stay here tonight. He’s asleep upstairs.”

“Oh, okay.” He looked back at the TV. The credits were rolling on the late night movie he hadn’t been watching.

“Mind if I join you?”

Jake waved a hand at the other end of the sofa. He gave her a tight smile. “Sure, but I’m fine. I promise.”

She sat on the other end of the sofa, tucking her legs underneath her. “I might believe that if this wasn’t the first time I’ve seen you since the courthouse this morning.”

He huffed out a breath and glanced over at her. She was always way too smart for him. Just like Claire. The pain that slashed through him was sharp, and he flinched and looked away. Tried to compose himself.

“Jake?”

He wrapped himself in the charming armor he’d been using forever. It was the only thing he knew. He looked at her. “How am I supposed to convince you to run away with me when you’re off doing who knows what with your husband?”